Sam Elam.realtor

Check out these basic homeowner safety guidelines.

7 Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know Like most homeowners, you probably have your water heater strapped down and you flush out the gutter...

Ever have a conversation that ended badly, but you don't know why? Here are some tips on clear communication.

3 Ways to Have Clearer Communication Whether it’s a big talk with the boss, a deep process with your partner or breaking some hard ...

A HELOC can be beneficial, but be wary of taking on debt.

How Does a Home Equity Line of Credit Work? If you want to make an important purchase but do not currently have the money, you don’t necessarily...

High credit card debt? A personal loan might be the answer.

Using Personal Loans Against Credit Card Debt A poor credit score can affect people in many ways. It can make it difficult to get approved for a m...

Build up your credit and carry around less cash with one of these.

The Benefits of a Secured Credit Card Unable to get a credit card? If so, it may be harder for you to build a good credit rating, making e...

Lessons about personal finance and how money works can be included in books you read to children. Here are some suggestions.

Books to Teach Young Readers About Money Reading books to your children is fun, and one of the great joys of parenthood is watching them lear...

Thinking of introducing some financial lessons to your children? Here's some helpful information.

What to Know Before Giving Your Kid a Debit Card Teaching your child about money by giving them a piggy bank or having them earn an allowance by doin...

Retirees, consider saving money by moving to a smaller home or a less expensive location!

Nearing Retirement but Haven't Saved? 4 Smart Solutions If you’re nearing retirement and haven’t saved much for it, you’re not alone. Forty-eight percent of...

Here's how you can save on energy and cash at the same time!

6 Shortcuts to a Smaller Utility Bill Looking to cut your energy costs? It can take years for a new, more energy-efficient refrigerator or...

You may be surprised at how energy efficient you can make your home without spending a fortune!

Eco-Friendly Tips With Low Costs and High Savings Most homeowners have weather-stripped their doors to maximize climate control, and have switched out...

The process of living on only one income can be daunting if not scary, but don't despair!

Down to One Income? It's Not the End of the World If you purchased your home as a two-income family, the prospect of living on only one income can be ...

Looking to keep your carpet looking new for longer? Heed these tips.

How to Extend the Life of Your Carpet Whether you adore your new carpet or can’t afford to replace it every few years, below are a h...

Taking a driver safety course can reduce your premiums by 5 - 15. Find other great money-saving ideas here.

How Seniors Can Save on Car Insurance Auto insurance rates typically rise for senior citizens, who can be more accident-prone than they we...

Are you looking to buy a smart thermostat? Check out these models.

Smart Thermostats: Top 4 Expert Picks Programmable thermostats let you set the temperature in your home and have the thermostat change it ...

Do you know about the dangers of windows? Child proofing needs to be more comprehensive than you think.

How to Childproof Your House Children are often oblivious to the many dangers around them. Accidents in the home are a leading ca...

You could be holding yourself back from saving. Here's how to get your head in the game.

Mind Games Are Preventing You from Saving Money Saving money can be difficult, and sometimes your frame of mind can hold you back. Here are some neg...

Heated flooring sounds like a dream come true, but are they realistic for your home?

The Pros and Cons of Heated Flooring While you might be considering adding heated flooring to your new home, there are a lot of questions...

Helpful tips for managing your budget.

5 Reminders to Keep In Your Wallet Your purse or wallet can be more than just a place to pull your money out of so you can spend it. It...

Pass along the financial lessons you've learned to the younger generations.

Making Financial Lessons a Family Tradition Teaching children manners and how to tie their shoes is one thing, but financial lessons are often p...

Everything but the kitchen sink! A guide to replacing this most fundamental kitchen assistant.

How to Choose the Right Kitchen Sink In the wide world of kitchen décor, the sink is rarely a star. Sandwiched between the granite counte...

Credit cards may have a bad rep, but they can help you jumpstart your credit history.

How to Start Building Your Credit Your first credit card can be the start to building your financial future. Just remember, how you us...

You might be missing out on some money. Here's how to find out!

Where to Check for Unclaimed Money Found money is a gift. And with the internet, it’s easier than ever to find it. Unclaimed asse...

While student credit cards can help college students build credit, they do come with some conditions.

What to Know Before Applying for a Student Credit Card Building good credit takes time, and it can be a few years before college students or graduates have...

Have you tried any of these unique home accents?

Unique Home Accents to Make Your Home More Fun Are you looking for out-of-the-box decorating ideas for your space? Below are a handful of interesti...

Arizona Buyer Advisory and Home Buyers Guide WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN BUYING AND SELLING ARIZONA REAL ESTATE! Not surprisingly, living in Arizona is different from where you have been living before. Arizona Association of REALTORS® publishes the Arizona Buyer Advisory that covers several very ...

Low credit shouldn't stop you from getting a second mortgage to pay off debt or make home repairs. What home project would you use the money for?

Refi Options for Those With Low Credit Scores If you want to get a second mortgage so you can make renovations to your home, it can be difficult i...

Have you noticed suspicious activity on your credit report? A fraud alert is easy to file, but be aware of how long it lasts.

Fraud Alerts: How They Can Help You Victims of identity theft or fraud may feel they don’t have many options to protect themselves. An e...

No. 1: Know your billing cycle start date.

How to Earn Credit Card Grace-Period Perks If you pay your credit card bill in full each month and don’t pay interest, you’re using your credit...

Heard about a recent increase in interest rates? Here's how it could affect your credit card and loan terms.

How Federal Rate Increases Affect Credit Cards and Loans If you’ve ever noticed a rise in interest rates in the news or saw your credit card bill get a littl...

Looking into a federal student loan? Here's what you need to know.

A Breakdown of How Student Loans Work Federal student loans are often the first step for students looking for help paying for college. Whi...